Rochelle L. Sharpe

Publisher: Independently Published.

Release Date: May 15th 2025.

Source: eARC/ purchased hardcover.

Category: Christian Fantasy.

Series: Sequel to the Nightingale Trilogy.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

How far would you go to outrun the person you used to be?

In search of freedom and a fresh start, Cassius Vera sails for unexplored lands in the hope that he can forget the one woman he has ever truly loved, the only one to look past his gifts and superficial charm to the real man beneath. But Cass is carrying more than bad memories, and one slip in front of his new shipmates could send him back into slavery once again . . . or worse.

Fleeing heartbreak and false accusations of murder, werebeast Zaire Delmar stows away onboard a ship, wanting to get as far away from Caldera as possible. She doesn’t expect to meet Cass, an alter whose stunning good looks rival even hers, nor does she anticipate the surprising affinity she shares with him. When Cass offers his protection, Zaire spurns his help. She is half beast–she can take care of herself. And the last thing she needs is to get closer to a man in whose presence she cannot lie, even if he’s offering to share her sorrow.

But after a shipwreck catapults them into a new world even more dangerous than the land they left behind, Zaire is forced to depend on the only ally she has left. The same man she betrayed, not so many months ago.

My Thoughts:

What can I say about this book?

I am so happy that Fischer wrote it. Cass’s story was left unfinished in the Nightingale Trilogy and needed to be told. And I wasn’t disappointed!

To be honest, I was a little hesitant going into Caligo. I loved Cass in the Nightingale Trilogy, but I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t like Zaire. I just didn’t think I’d like her as the love interest for Cass. I shouldn’t have worried. Fischer is a fantastic writer and she pulled off what I thought was going to be impossible! I ended up really liking Zaire. She has had a hard life, being used as a weapon by others, and had deep personal struggles. She was strong on the outside, but had a vulnerability that made you want to give her a hug.

Cass was his delightful self, but a little sadder. Struggling with losing the woman he loved, and trying to hide his truth-telling gift, he is eager to escape his old life. He never expects to meet Zaire, and her sidekick chicken on his travels. When they are forced to help each other, a bond forms between them, but with two broken hearts, they are cautious about letting the other in.
What I love most about Cass is just how fiercely loyal and protective he is.

There was an addition of some characters from the Nightingale Trilogy I wasn’t expecting. And one I was very glad to see. Spartan is one of my favourite characters and I was so excited that he was in this book. His story was so sweet and perfect!
The chicken was also a standout, as all animal sidekicks should be. The interactions between him and Cass were hilarious.

My favourite part of this book was the redemption arc for Cass and Zaire. For me, it was even more powerful than the redemption arc for Dorian and Sephone as Cass and Zaire had further to go to be redeemed because of they way they had chosen to live.

After reading the Nightingale Trilogy I should have known this was going to be a wild ride. I wasn’t expecting anything that happened in this book, and I loved that. (It’s much more fun that way.)
It was such a deep, powerful and impactful story. And of course there was an edge of your seat ending! I was left wanting more! This is definitely one not to be missed.

Content warning: This was clean with no swearing or spice. There is some violence and mention of infanticide. (But done tastefully without unnecessary excess.)

#I received an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I also brought a physical copy so I can have this beautiful book on my shelf next to my copies of the Nightingale Trilogy.